It is remiss of me to leave this one so long. Anyway, here it is!
This game is the only one on this weekend for the VFL. The rest will be on next week. As such we will certainly be on TV. Mirabile visu!
Saturday afternoon footy (1400 start) at North Port Oval (what a dump!).
Northern Blues
B: 13. C. O'Shea, 26. A. Silvagni, 70. T. Williamson
HB: 72. B. Smedts, 63. H. Macreadie, 7. D. Buckley
C: 62. B. Boekhorst, 58. C. Curnow, 49. D. Armfield
HF: 51. R. Palmer, 48. K. Jaksch, 32. N. Graham
F: 14. L. Jones, 19. H. McKay, 42. J. Pickett
R: 15. A. Phillips, 60. D. Cuningham, 8. L. Russell
23rd Player: 35. M Stavrou
Int: 80. M. Korcheck, 47. C. Sheehan, 4. S. Russell, 34. J. Glass-McCasker, 55. L. Sumner, 6. G. Strachan, 1. T. Wilson, 31. P. Kerr, 56. A. Gallucci, 65. Z. Fisher, 67. C. Polson, 20. D. Stevens
This line-up looks about as strong as we can get it. However, 5 players will not play from this list: 4 will be on the bench on Sunday and 1 will be held back as an emergency.
It is good to see Phillips named. I don't know if we will play him, or for how much of the game if he does play. But that strengthens our ruck division no end.
Port Melbourne
B: 3. L. Tynan, 31. B. Mihocek, 16. D. Viojo-Rainbow
HB: 1. M. Rivett, 21. L. Cook, 18. M. Wooffindin
C: 29. C. Cain, 11. M. Golby, 38. D. Iaccarino
HF: 32. B. Pearson, 23. H. Sandilands, 9. B. Hogan
F: 7. D. Conway, 6. J. Lisle, 41. R. Hogan
R: 36. L. Waddell, 4. T. O'Sullivan, 35. E. Templeton
45. J O'Brien
Int: 12. J. Tynan, 37. H. Hooper, 13. T. Gordon, 33. C. Kelso, 20. S. Dwyer, 28. R. Nahas, 10. T.Pinwill, 30. B. Murdoch
Skittles will have something to prove, but I will be surprised if he plays on the back pocket.
Development Game:
North Port at 1100 on Saturday 8th April
Northern Blues
B: 47. C. Sheehan, 18. B. Jordan, 3. K. Declase
HB: 4. S. Russell, 25. K. Keppel, 6. G. Strachan
C: 5. A. Browne, 20. D. Stevens, 56. A. Gallucci
HF: 55. L. Sumner, 34. J. Glass-McCasker, 31. P. Kerr
F: 52. S. Fowler, 29. B. Casley, 67. C. Polson
R: 80. M. Korcheck, 12. Z. Ballard, 65. Z. Fisher
Int: 41. S. Glover, 53. H. Payne, 21. C. Barrett, 28. J. Collins, 68. J. Mahon, 17. S. Peet, 22. C. McCabe, 45. M. Blakey, 9. J. Corboy, 57. F. Pearce, 27. A. Milham, 78. M. Walson, 54. M. Romero
This side also looks much stronger than teams from recent years. A few of the Carlton listed players will be playing.
Port Melbourne
B: 42. T. Knowles, 8. D. Van Unen, 46. M. Tang
HB: 11. M. Golby, 27. D. Mascitti, 15. L. Osborne
C: 12. J. Tynan, 34. S. Valenti, 24. M. Hayes
HF: 40. S. Clarke, 39. K. Dove, 25. T. Hobbs
F: 68. E. Hanley, 2. K. Haretuku, 61. S. De Soysa
R: 49. C. Carey, 35. E. Templeton, 66. A. Krakauer
Int: 20. S. Dwyer, 59. S. Bennett, 37. H. Hooper, 65. J. Pullan, 53. J. Gleeson, 43. A. Vella, 33. C. Kelso, 51. D. Atkins, 17. A. Urban, 44. Y. Jaffer-Williams, 58. J. Harrison, 26. N.Batsanis
Khan Haretuku in the 2nds!
Sorry guys, but we are NOT on TV. At least not here in Bendigo. That sucks.
Sorry guys, but we are NOT on TV. At least not here in Bendigo. That sucks.
Don't think we are in Melb either Crash - at least I can't find it. :(
Good news game is streamed live today on vfl website
Port well on top at half time, like the seniors we have a dysfunctional forward line...
Philips in his first game back has been good...
Smedts has more composure and smarts than most of his team-mates.
Polson..smart in close but needs a couple of gears, rushes when he doesnt have to...
Silvagni...poor IMO, shocking turnover by foot.
Buckley has got a bit of ball but disposal poor.
Gallucci...not AFL standard today..
Jones...not the worst, played down back a bit..
Graham....be his last season..
Korchek...thanks for trying..
Fisher..willing worker but a while away, his slender body not helping..
Kerr..ok the times I have seen him with the ball but it hasnt been often..
Sumner....not great...SOS going to be wearing some flak when he is delisted..
Boekhorst, got a bit of footy but its like he has picked up a RPG and wants to offload it as quick as he can, tried to baulk around
a player by selling some candy but got caught...see ya later Blaine at years end....
Jaksch....been in hiding all game...
McKay...marking the ball ok but his disposal needs more thinking, but he looks promising...
OShea...not bad....would be a better rookie than Silvagni..
Port have some mature bodies/experienced players and its making life harder for our smaller framed types......
Got sick of the biased commentary so switched it off. We do seem to have similar problems to those in the seniors though. Good in patches but far too error prone and loose with our tackles.
Not much to see there, very few KPP options, a heap of smallish mids/onballers and not much else.
GOALS: Jaksch 2, Fisher 2, McKay, Sumner, Armfield, Gallucci.
DISPOSALS: Graham 22, Boekhorst 19, Polson18, Silvagni 17, Cuningham 17, Armfield 16. (at 3/4 time)
DISPOSALS: Graham 37, Polson 28, Boekhorst 24, Wilson 21, Smedts 21, Cuningham 20 (at full time)
AFL Vic Development League 2017
Port Melbourne 4.5 6.8 12.11 16.17 (113)
Northern Blues 1.2 2.5 6.7 9.8 (62)
GOALS:
Port Melbourne: Gleeson 4 Hanley 3 Mascitti 2 Krakauer 2 De Soysa 2 Tynan Haretuku Clarke
Northern Blues: Browne 2 Peet 2 Stevens 2 Payne Casley Barrett
BEST:
Port Melbourne: Valenti Krakauer Carey Dwyer Osborne Hooper
Northern Blues: Casley Keppel Stevens Russell Glover Ballard
Thought our young brigade were very good today, especially in the last quarter.
Polson is a spit for Murph and often does smart things with ball.
Fisher is one touch and kicked a beauty in the last.
Cunners faded but did plenty of the tough things.
McKay really worked himself into the game even his disposal was an issue.
Kerr didn't get it much but used it well when he did.
Sheehan should be playing seniors.
Sheehan should be playing seniors.
Didn't Sheehan get hurt in the last qtr?
Graham's possies were useless, handpasses and kicks around corners , up in the air when being slung kicks and generally running back the other way from goal....stats inflated his impact on the game...ditto Boekhorst with 24....zero effectiveness IMO...
Polson I like and can use both sides of his body....I think he is more AFL ready than most..
Fisher works hard and did kick a nice long goal in the last but like I said in my previous comments is too light for senior footy at this stage..
Sheehan was ok without being great, can lay a tackle and kicks the ball well but lacks a yard of pace IMO...
Cunningham didnt grab me at all, flashy player but generally he didnt use the ball well IMO and doesnt impact enough..
McKay is promising and could stay at home more down forward if we had a better midfield but has to work up the ground a lot to get the footy...
I also thought Port took the foot of the pedal in the last quarter and were happy to just see out the game given the conditions...
Didn't Sheehan get hurt in the last qtr?
Couldn't tell. He may have.
Graham's possies were useless, handpasses and kicks around corners , up in the air when being slung kicks and generally running back the other way from goal....stats inflated his impact on the game...ditto Boekhorst with 24....zero effectiveness IMO...
Polson I like and can use both sides of his body....I think he is more AFL ready than most..
Fisher works hard and did kick a nice long goal in the last but like I said in my previous comments is too light for senior footy at this stage..
Sheehan was ok without being great, can lay a tackle and kicks the ball well but lacks a yard of pace IMO...
Cunningham didnt grab me at all, flashy player but generally he didnt use the ball well IMO and doesnt impact enough..
McKay is promising and could stay at home more if we had a better midfield but has to work up the ground a lot to get the footy...
I also thought Port took the foot of the pedal in the last quarter and were happy to just see out the game given the conditions...
Agree with you on Graham. Agree mostly in regard to Boekhurst, though he did try and get in the game. And Polson, I think, should be playing instead of Thomas based on that performance.
I though Fisher played better than you did. And I really liked Sheehan's game. He was out muscled by Lisle at one point but overall he was our best defender by far. Again could play seniors - offers more than a White.
I think Cuningham showed good signs, well worth persisting. McKay will be a player but at least a year away. Glad to have Polson and Fisher on the list. Graham, Jaksch and Boekhorst must be delisted.
Agree with you on Graham. Agree mostly in regard to Boekhurst, though he did try and get in the game. And Polson, I think, should be playing instead of Thomas based on that performance.
I though Fisher played better than you did. And I really liked Sheehan's game. He was out muscled by Lisle at one point but overall he was our best defender by far. Again could play seniors - offers more than a White.
Totally agree, I thought EB1 was too slow, especially in the 3rd :D ;D Sorry Mondy, couldn't resist.
Seriously though, reckon you're on the money with Boekhorst, you couldn't knock his effort, he really did do his best to get into the game. And also agree re Gus, he was our best defender and looks the goods... the bloke who out marked him in the last is also about 3 metres taller so we won't blame Gussy for that one. Fisher is coming along nicely. Polson, yep.
Glad others got to see the Cuningham conundrum. The bloke is all class, but only for guest appearances. Does some really good things then goes missing for extended periods. And he's been that way since he arrived...
Graham is a very good seconds player ;D
If Cunningham had kicked that goal after the Korchek tap I wonder if he would have been more involved in the second half. Because the miss seemed to deflate him.
I'm not confident about Smedts making it. Sumner also a worry.
Left at 3/4 time but thought Cunningham was very good especially in first half. Found a lot of the ball and used it well and also competed hard. Has so much pace wish he would use it more.
Polson and Fisher show a bit and so did Harry but agree it will take him a while . Did not think Graham was as bad as some others do.
jaksch is a complete spud. Would have to be really desperate to give him a game in the seniors........
The really disappointing thing is that the NBs showed much more than this in the pre season. Kerridge and Palmer missing from the midfield wouldn't have helped... left everything to Phillips, Graham, Cuningham, Boekhorst and the newbies...
Totally agree, I thought EB1 was too slow, especially in the 3rd :D ;D Sorry Mondy, couldn't resist.
Seriously though, reckon you're on the money with Boekhorst, you couldn't knock his effort, he really did do his best to get into the game. And also agree re Gus, he was our best defender and looks the goods... the bloke who out marked him in the last is also about 3 metres taller so we won't blame Gussy for that one. Fisher is coming along nicely. Polson, yep.
Glad others got to see the Cuningham conundrum. The bloke is all class, but only for guest appearances. Does some really good things then goes missing for extended periods. And he's been that way since he arrived...
Graham is a very good seconds player ;D
I was slowed down as usual by having to carry half the team...... ;) especially Graham and Boekhorst.....
I was slowed down as usual by having to carry half the team...... ;) especially Graham and Boekhorst.....
:)) :)) :)) ...and having to pick up the slack when Cuningham decides he's done enough and has a snooze for a quarter or so...
That has been Cunningham since day 1. Maybe a fitness issue?
Great to hear Polson went well and Fisher showing signs. Polson is so quick. Would be a massive bonus if he turned out to be a player.
Left at 3/4 time but thought Cunningham was very good especially in first half. Found a lot of the ball and used it well and also competed hard. Has so much pace wish he would use it more.
Polson and Fisher show a bit and so did Harry but agree it will take him a while . Did not think Graham was as bad as some others do.
jaksch is a complete spud. Would have to be really desperate to give him a game in the seniors........
He's gone 4, 3, 1, 3 and 2 goals so far this year through the practice matches series and today. No reason not to play him. Tough days for forwards at our end of the ground in the conditions.
I was slowed down as usual by having to carry half the team...... ;) especially Graham and Boekhorst.....
To slow down means he was quick once, so not all bad there.
He's gone 4, 3, 1, 3 and 2 goals so far this year through the practice matches series and today. No reason not to play him. Tough days for forwards at our end of the ground in the conditions.
Numbers are one thing, watching the bloke play is another. Clearly not up to it.
Numbers are one thing, watching the bloke play is another. Clearly not up to it.
Exactly. One-dimensional. Yes, runs in straight lines well and can take a grab... the end. He'll be handy for the NBs though, along with Jones.
Exactly. One-dimensional. Yes, runs in straight lines well and can take a grab... the end. He'll be handy for the NBs though, along with Jones.
Watching today, I actually thought Jones was more effective in the ruck than Phillips or Korcheck.
As usual, our discards played a hand in our own undoing. Some very hard questions need to be asked about our coaching and player development.
Peter Jackson VFL 2017
Port Melbourne 2.5 5.9 8.11 12.15 (87)
Northern Blues 2.4 2.5 4.9 8.10 (58)
GOALS:
Port Melbourne: Lisle 7 Pearson Nahas Cain O'Sullivan Wooffindin
Northern Blues: Jaksch 2 Fisher 2 Gallucci Armfield Sumner McKay
BEST:
Port Melbourne: Mihocek O'Sullivan Sandilands Lisle Viojo-Rainbow Cain
Northern Blues: Graham Silvagni Polson Sheehan Wilson Stavrou
Something of a disappointment, considering the number of Carlton listed players available. I cannot gainsay the above comments: they saw the game and I didn't. However, it is the first time for the season that we have played this poorly. Even in our loss to Richmond a few weeks back there were good signs.
Gussy Sheehan will play senior footy this year, if he stays fit. He has the right attitude and strength. Injuries probably have hurt his pace: he was quicker than Tuohy.
The one we miss is the other Irishman, Ciaran Byrne. He has the PACE and the willingness to RUN out of defence. But it will be next year before he is really back to what we need.
Gussy Sheehan will play senior footy this year, if he stays fit. He has the right attitude and strength. Injuries probably have hurt his pace: he was quicker than Tuohy.
The one we miss is the other Irishman, Ciaran Byrne. He has the PACE and the willingness to RUN out of defence. But it will be next year before he is really back to what we need.
Dont be surprised if its sooner. My mail is this guy is as fanatical and meticulous at rehab as they have ever seen at the club. He is way ahead of schedule and is a beast of a trainer/preparer.
Peter Jackson VFL 2017
Port Melbourne 2.5 5.9 8.11 12.15 (87)
Northern Blues 2.4 2.5 4.9 8.10 (58)
GOALS:
Port Melbourne: Lisle 7 Pearson Nahas Cain O'Sullivan Wooffindin
Northern Blues: Jaksch 2 Fisher 2 Gallucci Armfield Sumner McKay
BEST:
Port Melbourne: Mihocek O'Sullivan Sandilands Lisle Viojo-Rainbow Cain
Northern Blues: Graham Silvagni Polson Sheehan Wilson Stavrou
Something of a disappointment, considering the number of Carlton listed players available. I cannot gainsay the above comments: they saw the game and I didn't. However, it is the first time for the season that we have played this poorly. Even in our loss to Richmond a few weeks back there were good signs.
Gussy Sheehan will play senior footy this year, if he stays fit. He has the right attitude and strength. Injuries probably have hurt his pace: he was quicker than Tuohy.
The one we miss is the other Irishman, Ciaran Byrne. He has the PACE and the willingness to RUN out of defence. But it will be next year before he is really back to what we need.
Not sure how Silvagni got in the best, he was woeful...Lisle kicked 7 on a combo of him, JGM and others, his disposal by foot is terrible and I can see why Lyon moved him on....
Sandilands and Mihocek are better defenders...not sure if the former made an AFL list or was rookied but he should have been, kicks the ball really well, is composed and takes a good mark.
Cant wait to have Byrne back....need a bit more dash of half back and I think he is your Touhy replacement...Sheehan's game didnt grab me...looks a tad slow
for seniors at this stage....
Not sure how Silvagni got in the best, he was woeful...Lisle kicked 7 on a combo of him, JGM and others, his disposal by foot is terrible and I can see why Lyon moved him on....
Sandilands and Mihocek are better defenders...not sure if the former made an AFL list or was rookied but he should have been, kicks the ball really well, is composed and takes a good mark.
Cant wait to have Byrne back....need a bit more dash of half back and I think he is your Touhy replacement...Sheehan's game didnt grab me...looks a tad slow
for seniors at this stage....
I didn't watch the game but Silvagni was very good in the practice match against Richmond. I had a close look at him and his work off the ball was good, his one on one defence was good and he covered for his team mates. His disposal was good and he was physical. I went away happy that we have as a rookie, mainly to bolster the NBs but to provide depth if required.
Sheehan only played the first half of the practice match but he looked good and certainly not slow. He has a bit of competition now and may find it hard to displace the likes of Macreadie and Williamson.
I didn't watch the game but Silvagni was very good in the practice match against Richmond. I had a close look at him and his work off the ball was good, his one on one defence was good and he covered for his team mates. His disposal was good and he was physical. I went away happy that we have as a rookie, mainly to bolster the NBs but to provide depth if required.
Sheehan only played the first half of the practice match but he looked good and certainly not slow. He has a bit of competition now and may find it hard to displace the likes of Macreadie and Williamson.
I think Williamson will play more on the wing when he has more games under has belt in a Issac Smith type role but will learn some of his trade tagging different players to get
experience, Sheehans main problem will be fellow Irishman Byrne when he gets back who is quicker and a better mark.
I'm not selling Sheehan short but on that last game he wouldnt be in my consideration for a senior game just yet....I'd have Polson as my next senior inclusion....
Nick Graham had 37 disposals and 8 clearances apparently.
Thats some sort of game right there.
On merit, he earns a gig so it will tell us a bit about where he and we are at depending on if he gets a crack.
Nick Graham had 37 disposals and 8 clearances apparently.
Thats some sort of game right there.
On merit, he earns a gig so it will tell us a bit about where he and we are at depending on if he gets a crack.
I'd prefer him to Kerridge tbh. (Must stop this campaign against Sam but he really does annoy me!)
Most of Grahams disposals were rubbish IMO....he gets plenty of ball but does nothing to advantage with it, doesnt carry the footy, doesnt break lines, kick enough goals or set up other players enough. Polson has pace and unlike Graham kicks both feet and would be first cab off the rank if I was including another mid....
IMO Nick Graham is gone at seasons end....unless a miracle happens and he develops more nous and skill...
Most of Grahams disposals were rubbish IMO....he gets plenty of ball but does nothing to advantage with it, doesnt carry the footy, doesnt break lines, kick enough goals or set up other players enough. Polson has pace and unlike Graham kicks both feet and would be first cab off the rank if I was including another mid....
IMO Nick Graham is gone at seasons end....unless a miracle happens and he develops more nous and skill...
I reckon we'll wait another week or two and then bring in another youngster such as Poulson. Minimal changes this week. You're right EB, we probably won't go back to the likes of Graham unless forced e.g. by injury.
Nick Graham had 37 disposals and 8 clearances apparently.
Thats some sort of game right there.
On merit, he earns a gig so it will tell us a bit about where he and we are at depending on if he gets a crack.
Yeah nah
I think Williamson will play more on the wing when he has more games under has belt in a Issac Smith type role but will learn some of his trade tagging different players to get
experience, Sheehans main problem will be fellow Irishman Byrne when he gets back who is quicker and a better mark.
I'm not selling Sheehan short but on that last game he wouldnt be in my consideration for a senior game just yet....I'd have Polson as my next senior inclusion....
I'd love to see Williamson on the wing!
If you watch his highlights he drills a 30-40m pass on his right foot. I had to watch it again to confirm that he's a molly duker. With a big, pacy winger like that delivering the ball inside 50, our forwards would have to be more productive.
I think Byrne is a more skilful attacking player but I'd prefer to have Sheehan standing blokes like Dusty.
I'm not saying he's soft but he plays soft.... Falls over when needs to stay upright, gets knocked from contests too easily, misses tackles etc. Not hard enough to play inside, too slow for outside, doesn't make good enough decisions with the pill to be a distributor. Good VFL player but doesn't have "it" to be a senior player. In times past he would have played a lot of games, but accumulators need to do more.
Sheehan should be in for White more than Williamson. What a great debut that was. I remember seeing him in a JLT game and he looked hopeless. Couldn't have been better against the bummers in horrible conditions.
Can anyone confirm if NB are playing in the curtain raiser to the GC match.
Heard it somewhere but just want to be sure before i make plans to get to the game early.
Sheehan should be in for White more than Williamson. What a great debut that was. I remember seeing him in a JLT game and he looked hopeless. Couldn't have been better against the bummers in horrible conditions.
Thought White played one of his best games and was at home in the conditions with the pace off the game, dont see him being dropped....I wouldnt make too many changes but everyone seems infatuated(not me) with Nick Grahams form in the NB's so he might be some chance of playing...
Thought White played one of his best games and was at home in the conditions with the pace off the game, dont see him being dropped....I wouldnt make too many changes but everyone seems infatuated(not me) with Nick Grahams form in the NB's so he might be some chance of playing...
If NG is selected EB then that would be his last chance surely to stake his claim for a spot in our future list?
If NG is selected EB then that would be his last chance surely to stake his claim for a spot in our future list?
Cookie NG (along with KJ perhaps and Jones) are dead men walking. They have no future on our list, you saw the future on Sunday v the Cheating Scum and there are plenty of other newbies to look at before we go back to the ones who have provide zero at senior level. They wouldnt get a game on any other AFL list, we shouldnt waste any more time on them.
I wouldn't call them dead men walking yet: they DO have some chance of resurrecting their careers with us. However, they would be in the terminal ward. As for their chances, I would prefer to bet on tattslotto.
Graham is a great VFL player, but that yard of pace and the extra body strength makes a huge difference at senior level.
Jaksch may get a game if we have a few injuries. But he needs more fire in his game.
Jones: maybe if we had the AFL's top midfield Jones would look OK. But we don't.
I wouldn't call them dead men walking yet: they DO have some chance of resurrecting their careers with us. However, they would be in the terminal ward. As for their chances, I would prefer to bet on tattslotto.
Graham is a great VFL player, but that yard of pace and the extra body strength makes a huge difference at senior level.
Jaksch may get a game if we have a few injuries. But he needs more fire in his game.
Jones: maybe if we had the AFL's top midfield Jones would look OK. But we don't.
Nice summary, Captain Crash. Very much agree, especially re Jones.
Cookie NG (along with KJ perhaps and Jones) are dead men walking. They have no future on our list, you saw the future on Sunday v the Cheating Scum and there are plenty of other newbies to look at before we go back to the ones who have provide zero at senior level. They wouldnt get a game on any other AFL list, we shouldnt waste any more time on them.
I tend to agree GTC. I just wonder if the club may want to make 110% sure? I.e. not die wondering?
Am I hearing that both Polson and Williamson can kick both sides?
Am I hearing that both Polson and Williamson can kick both sides?
I don't know about Polson but Williamson is very good with his right boot.
Am I hearing that both Polson and Williamson can kick both sides?
I saw Polson use both feet in the last NB's game unlike Nick Graham who went backwards at times so he could use his right boot but if he had a left he
could have hit up a target further ahead and moved the ball quicker...
I wouldn't call them dead men walking yet: they DO have some chance of resurrecting their careers with us. However, they would be in the terminal ward. As for their chances, I would prefer to bet on tattslotto.
Graham is a great VFL player, but that yard of pace and the extra body strength makes a huge difference at senior level.
Jaksch may get a game if we have a few injuries. But he needs more fire in his game.
Jones: maybe if we had the AFL's top midfield Jones would look OK. But we don't.
Clint Eastwood in " A fistfull of dollars" would be ordering three more coffins... ;)
i think Graham could make it if given a regular run....likes a goal too.
To suggest he isn't strong enough is silly, ditto his speed (he certainly is quicker than Mitchell for example).
i think it's his mind - he always overthinking it when he gets a senor gig - probably too worried/focused on getting dropped....
i think Graham could make it if given a regular run....likes a goal too.
To suggest he isn't strong enough is silly, ditto his speed (he certainly is quicker than Mitchell for example).
i think it's his mind - he always overthinking it when he gets a senor gig - probably too worried/focused on getting dropped....
It's not thinking quickly enough rather than overthinking. Taking that bit of extra time to avoid using his left foot doesn't help either.